The BBC has officially signed a three-year agreement with WRC Promoter to broadcast the World Rally Championship from 2027 to 2029. The deal marks a major step in expanding the WRC's reach in the UK, especially with the championship returning to Britain next year.
Under the contract, the BBC will broadcast selected stages live from every WRC round. The package also includes the Power Stage from each event and a one-hour highlights programme. Content will be available on the BBC's digital platforms, providing significantly wider free-to-air exposure than the previous paywalled coverage.
WRC Promoter CEO Eric Boullier welcomed the collaboration. "Our partnership with the BBC marks an important step in our strategy to grow the WRC's reach and visibility in the UK. The BBC is one of the country's most trusted and influential media organisations," he said.
The agreement comes at an ideal time as the WRC returns to Britain after a long absence. The new gravel Rally Scotland will be held around Aberdeen, marking the first WRC round in Britain since Wales 2019. The BBC plans extensive live coverage of the event on all four days of competition.
Boullier added, "The BBC's powerful combination of television, digital and social platforms gives us a unique opportunity to reconnect with existing rally fans while introducing the championship to a new generation." In recent years, WRC television coverage in Britain has largely been behind a paywall on TNT Sports. With this deal, the WRC will once again be accessible to a significantly larger potential audience.
Motorsport UK CEO Hugh Chambers also highlighted the significance of this move. "Bringing the World Rally Championship back to the UK is a major moment for our sport, and this BBC agreement gives it the national platform it deserves. Free-to-air coverage will help us reach long-standing fans and welcome new audiences," he stressed.
The agreement between Rally Scotland and WRC Promoter also covers the years 2027–29. The 2027 WRC calendar is due to be published in the near future, providing a clearer picture of the championship's future and the impact of this partnership.
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